As delivered by Linda Newman-Toth
Delegation of the United States of America
28th Session,
Geneva, November 7, 2017
The United States warmly welcomes the delegation of Ghana.
We commend Ghana for its commitment to democratic governance and the peaceful transition of power.
We recognize Ghana’s efforts to combat human trafficking and child labor, but remain concerned by the authorities’ insufficient efforts to criminally prosecute perpetrators and protect victims.
We also recognize Ghana’s recent progress on improving prison conditions, but remain concerned by severe prison overcrowding, inadequate medical treatment, and lengthy detention of suspects without trial or legal assistance.
We note with concern the discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people, women, and persons with disabilities and urge the government to ensure equal protection before the law for all.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend:
- Enforce laws on human trafficking and child labor by holding perpetrators criminally accountable and providing adequate funding to investigate traffickers and protect victims;
- Enact criminal justice sector reforms to protect the rights of the accused, in particular the rights to a trial within a reasonable time and to legal assistance; and
- Ensure full protection of the human rights of all people in Ghana, including LGBT people, women, and persons with disabilities, by eliminating discriminatory legislation, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and effectively implementing existing laws and policies on gender and disabilities.
(end statement)